“There he is,” she whispered, voice breathy. “I knew the real Prime was in there somewhere. Behind all that control.” She leaned closer, not pulling away from my grip. “You like it rough. I can do rough.”
I released her wrist like it burned me. Stepped back.
“You need help,” I said. “Professional help. Whatever you think this is, it’s not real. It’s obsession.”
The softness disappeared from her face. Replaced by something harder.
“My daddy said you’ve been distant lately,” she said, her voice shifting. “He’s noticed how different you are because of that girl.”
The mention of Rashid made my spine stiffen. She clocked it.
“That’s what I thought.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You’re so worried about protecting your little pastry chef that you forgot who really matters in this world.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It’s an observation.” She smoothed down her pantsuit. “Enjoy her while you can, Prime. Some things aren’t meant to last.”
She walked past me toward the door. Paused with her hand on the handle.
“I’ll send over the final event proposal by end of week. Let me know if you have any questions.”
Then she was gone.
I stood there, heart pounding harder than I wanted to admit. What the fuck did she mean by that? Was that just bitter energy, or did she actually know something?
The door opened again.
Quest poked his head in. “Yo. You good?”
“Yeah. Fine.”
“What was that about?” He walked in, closing the door. “She looked like she wanted to eat you alive in that meeting.”
“She’s been on me for years.”
“So why won’t you hit? She’s fine as hell and clearly down.”
“Zero interest.”
“Since when?”
“Since you’ve beenRashid's daughters.
Quest’s eyebrows rose.A slow grin spread across his face. “Oh shit. You still riding for that girl? The one we had to do a clean up for?”
I didn’t answer. Which was answer enough.
Quest laughed, shaking his head. “Damn. Prentice Banks, in love. Never thought I’d see the day.”
Neither did I. I’d spent my whole life keeping people at arm’s length. And then Zainab walked her stubborn, beautiful, complicated ass into my life and dismantled every defense I had.
“You should bring her to the holiday party,” Quest said. “Introduce her to the family properly.”
“Why? So y’all can scare her off?”
“No.” Justice appeared in the doorway. “So Grandma Rita can approve.”
I laughed. “What does it matter? Rita didn’t approve of Quest’s two women and he’s still with them.”
